Archive for the ‘enlightenment’ Category

India’s iconic garment – and quite possibly the world’s most ancient living garment:  where did it all begin?

“Sari” comes from the Sanskrit “shati” (strip of cloth) and/or “chira” (cloth).  Although The Mahabharata specifically mentions the sari (it was the focus in the scene of Draupadi’s disrobing) the earliest known actual depiction of a sari is a statue of an Indus Valley priest wearing a drape.  So the sari is at least dated to 3,000 BC (and quite possibly well before that).  However, our Indus Valley ancestors apparently wore it draped dividing the legs – more like a dhoti.

Here are 2 other intersting points about India’s ancient sari:

1.  Great importance was given to long drapes of unstitched fabric.  This emphasis was perhaps due to the fact that needles of bone were used for stitching and that this made the garment “impure.”  Thus, cholis (blouses) were originally not worn.

2.  The weaving of a sari also has spiritual connotations:  it was believed that the weaving of this cloth was a metaphor for creation.  The thread was the foundation and the weaver was the architect or creator of the universe.

Makes you feel pretty special when you wear one, eh?

Reference: Exotic India Art
Image:  Batik Painting

Posted in enlightenment | | 2 Comments »

“Ha” was what I’d be thinking when my mother would ask me if I was continuing to give oil baths to my kids.  When they were babies I’d do it once in awhile – I thought it a nice  way to massage and moisturize before their baths.  But as they got older – when I could declare victory just for getting them in the tub, and when the flossing, brushing, tongue-cleaning, mouthwashing and toilet training got added to our nightly routine, the oil bath was the first to go.

Until last winter.  Their skin was getting dry and my son even had patches of sandpaper-like skin.  So I brought out the oil again and took the extra few minutes to use it on their skin and hair before their baths.  And really, it worked better than any moisturizer I tried.  Then as summer rolled around, with all the time spent in the ocean and the pool, I continued it.

In reading about the traditional Indian oil bath, it seems to be an Ayurvedic tradtion – with the purpose of relieving the body of excess internal heat.  It’s recommended that you use castor oil or almond oil and take this oil bath at least once a week.  I use the Burt’s Bees Body Oil pictured above – it has almond and lemon oils.  (Read more about Ayurvedic oil baths and process here).

Maybe I should start taking them?

A note of caution about using oils on babies/kids – a few years ago Maharashtra’s FDA commenced an investigation into baby oils – including the popular Dabur Baby Olive Oil that is sold in Indian grocery stores in the United States.  It is unclear what the outcome of this investigation was. 

Posted in eco living, enlightenment | | 2 Comments »

On the theme of beginnings this week…

Remember the story of Abhimanyu from The Mahabharata?  Arjuna taught him the technique to penetrate the complicated Chakravyuh war formation while he was in Subadhra’s womb (Abhimanyu later used this knowledge during the Kurukshetra).

The proponents of Garbha Sanskar usually point to this mythological story.  Garbha Sanskar literally means “education in the womb,” and is based on the premise that a child’s mental and behavioural develepment starts at conception.  To practice Garbha Sanskar, mothers are told to surround themselves with happy stimuli, meditate, eat nourishing foods and to play music and repeat mantras for the fetus.

It is an ancient practice that is being validated more and more by modern science. 

Read more about Garbha Sanskar here.  India’s Womb Institute offers a range of CDs and DVDs, as does Amazon.

 For an interesting read, check out Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives.

Posted in enlightenment | | 2 Comments »

So last Thursday, my son donned his first jacket-and-tie for his school Holiday concert and looked ever-so-dashing singing Santa Drives a Hotrod and It never snows in L.A.  And my daughter – I just wanted to smooch her to death when she sang Rudolph on stage.  The finale, sung by the whole school, was Joy to the World (you know, the one that continues on with lyrics such as “the Lord is come….”).  My husband and I exchanged “the look” – but whatever, it’s a happy song, a happy season and we teach our kids that God is universal and that everyone has their own path to Him.

Then I get wind that the Greendale School District in Wisconsin, which had been planning a “multicultural” holiday concert, pulled Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram from its three elementary schools after “a parent or two complained and felt offended about a religious saying in the song.”  (Quote from here.)  However, other multicultural songs, such as Feliz Navidad, a Kwanza song and the Hebrew song Hava Nagila remained.

Cool that Greendale thought to include such a beautiful (and historic – it was Gandhi’s favourite and sung by his followers during the Salt March) bhajan.  Not cool that they chickened-out because 1 or 2 narrow-minded parents complained.  Maybe they didn’t get the fact that the song itself aims to be inclusive (one of the lines is “Ishwar Allah tero naam” (“Ishwar and Allah are your names”).

Here’s 3 words for you Greendale:  Equal-Protection-Clause (oh, and Due Process).  And I hear the ACLU is on it.

Image via Google Images

Posted in enlightenment | | 1 Comment »

Looking for an Indian-inspired holiday craft to do with your kids?  Celebrate the gorgeous blue hues of winter with these easy-and-beautiful peacock ornaments.

Simply download our template here, cut onto colored cardstock and decorate.  We used jewel stickers, but you can use stamps, markers, colored pasta – or whatever you have in the house.  Group together for a whole peacock family!

The peacock isn’t just famous for its pretty plumage - it is also India’s National Bird – chosen perhaps for its beauty and its connection to the folklore and history of the country.  Here are some interesting facts to share with your kids:

1.  “Peacock” referes to the male bird.  Females are called “peahens” and babies are called “peachicks.”  The term “peafowl” is used when talking about birds of either gender.
2.  A group of peafowls is called a “pride” or a “party.”
3.  The peafowl is omnivorous.  Its diet consists mainly of  flower petals, seeds, plants, insects, reptiles and amphibians.
4.  The peacock’s tail (called a “train”) contains more than 200 feathers.  Because of its large train, the peacock is one of the largest flying birds on the planet!
5.  Peahens lay ivory-colored eggs that are about 3 times the size of a regular chicken egg.  The eggs incubate for about 28 days.
6.  There are 3 general types of peafowls:  the blue peafowl indigenous to India and Sri Lanka, the green peafowl from Java and Myanmar and the lesser-known Congo peafowl which lives in African rainforests.
7.  Peafowl can be very moody – they don’t mix very well with other birds.
8.  Some people in India consider the eyespots on a peacock’s train as “eyes of God.”
9.  You can’t hunt peacocks in India – they were put under the Indian Wildlife Act in 1972 and are fully proctected by the Indian parliament.
10.  The peacock is the vahana of Lord Murugan – Ganesha’s brother!

Posted in crafts, enlightenment | | No Comments »

So I was in the Disneyland LEGO store last week purchasing a much-coveted LEGO train set that we promised our son for Diwali (under condition that he build it entirely by himself – though to date he’s only put together 1 car – but that’s another story).  At checkout, this store lady says to me, “For spending so much today, you get a free gift.”

It was a little LEGO Christmas Tree Set.  At first I thought it was cute – the kids could at least use the parts or we could give it to one of their friends.  But then I got annoyed with LEGO – do they just assume that everyone in the world (country) celebrates Christmas?  Were they trying to push Christmas on everyone?

Granted, many regard Christmas trees as secular.  But we don’t put one up in our house.  And if they offered the Christmas tree set to a Jewish or a Muslim person – would they be offended?

Maybe I’m making too big of a deal about this – but it’s the principle/mentality/assumption that everyone assimilates and celebrates Christmas that irks me.

I politely refused.  What would you have done?

Posted in enlightenment | | 13 Comments »

Putana and Baby Krishna

Of Krishna’s exlpoits there are many.  Here we look at Krishna’s feats in taming and destroying rakshasas (demons).  These rakshasas came in many forms – snakes, birds and even beautiful women – and their characteristics and flaws can be seen as metaphorical parallels to modern-day evils.  Most were sent by Kamsa, but some necessitated defeat for the protection of Gokul, Vrindavan and the world at large.

Here is a round-up of 10 rakshasas – some are famous stories, others more obscure – defeated by Hinduism’s favorite boy-hero.  What’s your favorite Krishna katha (story)?

1. Putana

Who can forget Putana?  She disguised herself as an angelic woman and offered Yashoda a brief respite by volunteering to nurse baby Krishna (with her poisonous milk).  Can we say Krishna “sucked the life out of her?”

2. Trinavarta

Whoooosh!  Here comes the Tornado Demon!  Trinavarta is probably the most unique rakshasa-form – ruthlessly sabatoging everything in his path.  He whisked Krishna off his feet…but Krishna blew him (and his pride) away.

3. Bakasura

Bakasura – the Crane Demon – simply got greedy.  Lured by Kamsa’s promises of rich and swanky rewards, Bakasura “tricked” Krishna to come close – only to betray the boy by swallowing him.  Krishna forced his way out of course and put an end to him.  See – never underestimate your adversary!

4. Aghasura

This giant Serpent Demon slithered his way to the outskirts of Gokul, opened his mouth wide and had all the kids squealing in delight by thinking they had discovered a brand new “cave.”  They all hopped inside – only to be trapped.  Some versions of the story explain Aghasura to have once been a handsome king who was cursed by a crippled sage for laughing at the poor man’s disability.  Take note of this moral, kids:  bullies never prosper.

5. Kaliya

Shabash!  Krishna prevails yet again – this time dramatically emerging from the depths of the Yamuna while dancing on a mulit-headed snake.  We all know this story:  while playing with friends, a ball accidentally falls into the then-dominated-and-poisoned-by-Kaliya river.  Krishna did not kill Kaliya, but pardoned him – thanks to the begging of Kaliya’s wives.  Ahhh…the rewards of marriage!

6. Dhenukasura

This Donkey Demon was a real pain-in-the-(you know what).  Even Mother Earth trembled under Dhenukasura’s stampede.  This was a true joint venture between Balaram and Krishna – with Balaram taking the credit for the final blow.

7. Aristasura

A true bull-y in every sense of the word.  Aristasur the Bull Demon stormed into town and challenged Krishna to a bull fight that all the heavens watched.

8. Vatsasura

Another story of deception:  Vatsasura disguised himself as a Calf, mixed himself into Krishna’s herd and tricked him into a duel.

9. Keshi

This Horse Demon was apparently mourning the loss of so many of his fellow rakshasa friends, so he approached Kamsa to sponsor his battle against Krishna.

10. Vyomasura

Have you ever met a bat that was nice?  Vyomasura the Bat Demon kidnapped Krishna’s friends and a fierce fight ensued.  Perhaps the most obscure rakshasa, but he’d sure make a great Halloween Costume!

Images: Putana from unknown Etsy seller (please identify yourself – we would love to know if this piece is for sale!) and Google images.  Vyomasura via Big Animation Pvt. Ltd., producers of Little Krishna.

Posted in enlightenment | | 1 Comment »

Can you distinguish a Kathak dancer from a Kuchipudi dancer? Pondering whether to have your daughter (or son!) learn an Indian classical dance?  Which one should it be?  We present here a brief primer.

You’ll be interested to know that according to the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Indian Government) there are 8 Indian dance forms conferred with classical status.  Here they are (in no particular order):

1. Bharatanatyam

Origin:  Tamil Nadu
Dress:  Traditional costume has 3 fans of unequal length ( cascading between the legs)
Notes:  Considered to be the “fire dance” – where the dancer’s movements mimic a dancing flame; soft and sculptured poses; accompanied by Carnatic music, it is considered a devotional dance – the embodiment of music in visual form

2. Odissi

Origin:  Orissa
Dress:  The head piece (mahkoot) is unique to Odissi dance.  Dancers typically wear their hair in a bun and the headpiece consists of a flower-decorated backpiece as well as a longer piece that rises above the crown.  An elaborate silver belt is also worn.
Notes:  The concept of Tribhangi is a signature feature – it divides the body into 3 parts (head, chest and pelvis) and there are independent movements of these parts; accompanied by Odissi music

3. Kuchipudi

Origin:  Andhra Pradesh
Dress:  A single, long center pleat (between the legs); also has a katcham at the back and many times a side pleat
Notes:  More rounded poses as compared with Bharatanatyam; brisk movements; the Tarangam (where the dancer dances with feet set in a brass plate) is unique to Kuchipudi

4. Mohiniattam

Origin:  Kerala
Dress:  White with gold brocade border; sari appears more skirted
Notes:  Mohiniattam litterly means “dance of the enchantress;” subtle gestures and sensual, coy eye movements; typcially performed as a solo recital by a woman; accompanied by vocal music, with lyrics being a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam

5. Sattriya

Origin:  Assam
Dress:  Resembles a saree, with the pallu worn in a criss-cross pleat at the front
Notes:  The dance usually depicts mythological stories; originated in the monasteries of Assam; can be performed solo or in groups

6. Manipuri

Origin:  Manipur
Dress:  A tubular lehenga layered with a transparent silk pasuan, along with a transparent odhini through which the dancer’s facial expressions can easily be seen.
Notes:  The raslila (where Lord Krishna dances with Radha) is a central theme; delicate rounded movements where the dancers feet do not strike the ground hard; no ghungroos (ankle bells) are worn

7. Kathakali

Origin:  Kerala
Dress:  Very large, heavy and elaborate, accompanied by painting of the face; there are 4 basic divisions:  Heros (characterized by green makeup), Villains (green face with streaks of red on the cheeks, or red or black faces), Females (basic pink or yellow makeup – no mask) and Superhumans (like Hunuman – may have a white beard).
Notes:  Kathakali literally means story-play or dance-drama; primary purpose is to narrate a story; the characters themselves never speak, but the perfomance is danced to musical compositions containin dialouge and narration

8. Kathak

Origin:  North India
Dress:  There are 2 kinds of costumes:  a traditional lehenga-choli and a Mughal anarkali-style with a long skrited top and fitted chudidaar.
Notes:  Origins can be traced back to Kathaks (nomadic storytellers); dancer directly addressed the audience; slow and subtle movements along with vigorous footwork and pirouettes; performance starts off slow and progresses to a fast tempo, ending in a dramatic climax; 3 main gharanas (schools):  Jaipur, Lucknow and Benaras

Images via Google Images

Posted in enlightenment | | 2 Comments »

Of course everyone has their own opinion, but how often do you hear music so beautiful that it makes you cry?

I had the pleasure of watching esteemed santoor player Ranjeet Pathak perform at a live concert last weekend, accompanied by his twin brother Ajeet Pathak on the tabla.  I cannot even begin to describe how exquisite the music emanating from Mr. Pathak’s santoor was – as though an ethereal magician had captured the sound of raindrops dancing on water.  I honestly felt my heart wanted to leap out of my chest to pay obeisance to those glorious sound waves.  To his credit, Mr. Pathak even accomplished what I had written off as impossible:  he got my freshly 5-year-old son to sit for 2 hours without so much as a peep (a feat that several members of the audience even commented on).

The santoor is a rare and unusual instrument. It is trapezoid in shape and has upwards of 70 strings which the musician taps and glides with wood mallets (hence the resemblance to the sound of raindrops).  The original Sanskrit name of the santoor – Shatha Tantri Veena (“veena of 100 strings”) – apparently has references back to the Rig Veda.

It’s hard to capture the music in a recording – but Mr. Pathak has a beautiful piece on the home page of his website.  You can also watch a video clip: (click image to play)

Top image:  Painting from Hasht-Behesht palace, Esfahan, Iran

Tags: music
Posted in enlightenment | | 4 Comments »

The instinct is not so un-natural – you want a boy and a girl, or 2 boys, or 2 girls and a boy…Many couples have probably given some thought to what their idea of a complete family is. But there is a fine line between thinking and going beyond the thinking.

I remember when I was pregnant in India – I sat through many ultrasounds ill with anticipation. Was I having a boy or a girl? In India, sex pre-selection techniques are “illegal” (and if you have ever traveled there, you know what the quotation marks mean). This presumably included telling the baby’s sex via an ultrasound. My pre-natal physician at the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore was a strict observer of the Indian law (unfortunate for me, but I am thankful and commend her for upholding the law) – so strict in fact that she would not even let my radiologist-husband get a glimpse of the screen for more than a few seconds. I didn’t learn I was having a boy until we arrived back in the US a few weeks before his birth (though I admit I was hoping for a little girl).

Despite India’s law, the female-to-male ratio is on a sharp decline in the country. The Census Office released its latest figures just a few days ago: in the 0-6 year age group, the number of girls to every 1,000 boys fell to just 914, even lower than the 927 of the 2001 census. And this despite the fact that the women’s literacy rate was on the rise.

The news comes as a shocking disappointment to many activists of female rights and anti-sex detection. You would think that better education and economic security would have the opposite effect. Is there something about being better educated and having more wealth that makes people more likely to act on their desire for a child of a particular sex?

Of course there is no shortage of theories out there – there’s the infamous Shettles method, a diet method and even Ayurveda has some guidelines on the relation between the date of conception and the baby’s gender. But beyond the books, there are also clinics that promise “100% gender selection” – many which advertise heavily to the Indian community.

So did I act?  Not the first time around (he was a surpise). But the second time around, I did read about the popular theories and even bought the Shettles book. It has always been my nature to educate myself on all things relevant. I suppose that makes me guilty. However, in my defense, my husband and I chose not to find out the sex of our second child until the birth. We were blessed with a girl, but we had decided long before conception that the sex didn’t matter to us. It’s just a shame that governments have to pass laws to remind parents of this.

Posted in enlightenment | | No Comments »